Pat Cannon, a trainer with a long history in the thoroughbred industry, currently has only one horse in his stable.
This horse is Shultzy, who was scratched from a race at Geelong on Wednesday and is now slated to run in the Listed RM Ansett Classic (2400m) at Mornington on Saturday.
Shultzy has been a consistent performer for the Cannon team since joining as a two-year-old. Now a nine-year-old with 65 starts under his belt, he has recorded nine wins and a further 10 second placings, showing he is still racing with considerable ability.
Cannon attributes Shultzy’s extended racing career to his deep understanding of the horse’s needs.
“He’s been sensational for me,” Cannon said.
“I got him as an early two-year-old and he’s nine now, so he’s been around the stables for a long time.”
“I think being spoilt is one thing as to his longevity, but when you’re a small trainer, I just know him inside and out.”
“When he’s sore, I know when he’s feeling something and we usually work on it.”
“He is a high energy horse but doesn’t need the hard work and the vets and farriers have had a lot to do with his longevity because he’s got kissing-spine.”
“We haven’t had to operate on it, we’ve been able to treat it.”
“In the middle of his prep, he was missing the kick by a long way, and that was because of the kissing-spine, which was enough to stop him jumping.”
“When they power off, that’s when it really hurts them.”
Shultzy carried 60kg to victory at Sandown in July and finished second last start to the promising Leonchroi, who is also contesting the race on Saturday, at Sandown on September 2.
Earlier in his preparation, he outpaced Nearco Frod, who would later go on to win at Flemington in early August, before pulling up with EIPH when finishing last in The Archer at Flemington on September 12.
“Leonchroi is more effective on the firmer deck than we are, but we’ve sparred with him a couple of times and also with Nearco Frod, and once he should have beaten him,” Cannon said.
“The form all around him is good, so here’s hoping on Saturday.” Punters can find competitive racing odds at Australian betting sites.
